Fernando Sor

February 14, 1778 - July 10, 1839
born in Barcelona, Spain, composed during the Romantic period

Fernando Sor (1778-1839) was one of the leading musical figures in Spain and France during the transition between the Classical and the Romantic periods. He was admired in his time as a virtuoso guitarist and as the composer of the once popular but now long forgotten ballets, Cendrillon and Hassan et la calife, which took him on travels from London to Moscow. His Méthode pour la guitare was widely praised, and his career as a teacher won him lasting respect. Of his surviving works, more than 100 guitar pieces have become an important part of the repertoire. ~ Blair Sanderson, Rovi

The Christopher Parkening of his day or is Parkening the Fernando Sor of this day? I'm sure. Chris P. must have also been a student, for his playing has the exact same quality to what they both bring from their instrument. Listen to Parkening then Fernando Sor beautiful & I cannot hear any difference

I am a beginning classical guitarist (bc of FS I may never go back to rock) and my teacher exposed me to FS this year. Thank you Pandora and gracias a Dios for giving us FS and to Senor Segovia for resurrecting the 24 Etudes. Why isn't FS as well known as Bach?

Don't read this because it doesn't work. You will be killed tomorrow by the love of your life. Barring that, I will personally kill you. Put this on at least 7 songs, or don't -- It doesn't matter if you post this or not, you will die shortly. Have a nice day.

2 years ago

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titaly

Don't read this because it actually works. You will be kissed on the neares possible Friday by the love of your life. However if you don't post this you will die in 2 days. Now you've started reading so don't stop. This is so scary put this on at least 5 songs in 143 minutes. When done press f6 and your lover's name will come on the screen in big letters. This is so scary because it actually works.

When I traveled to Spain in 1998 to study guitar, I purchased a CD in a cathedral in Segovia by Jose Miguel Moreno entitled "La Guitarra Espanola Vol. II". The first eight tracks were composed by Sor. What makes this recording so thrilling is that Moreno uses copies of period guitars, with the strings strung to tensions as Sor would have played, and strictly adhering to Sor's methodology for the guitar. I cannot recommend this recording enough, Mertz, Tarrega and Llobet also being featured.

I love Matthew's comment about pandora. FS was no motzart but he definitely has gravitas and often genius.

4 years ago

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doppio2002

I discovered Sor while I was taking a music theory class. The professsor's instrument is classic guitar and he almost laughed at me when I asked if he had heard of FS."Well, yes," he said. "What planet have you been on?" Can anyone recommend a legible biography of Sor? - JP